Display rack



May 20, 1958 SEYMOUR 2,835,394

DISPLAY RACK Filed May 3, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. PHILIP M.Samoan SM/ TH, 0: sm d/vam May 20, 1958 P. M. SEYMOUR 2,835,394

DISPLAY RACK Filed May 5, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Illa-.3

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DISPLAY RACK 7 Philip M. Seymour, Ann Arbor, Mich.

Application May 3, 1955, Serial No. 505,578 Claims. (Cl. 211-41 Theinvention relates to a display rack for dinnerware. It may be employedwherever it is desired to present an attractively arranged dinnerwaredisplay, either in the store or home.

The invention comprehends a construction whereby a plurality ofdinnerware pieces can be arranged or grouped together in closely spacedupright positions. Preferably adjacent dinnerware pieces overlap eachother so as to provide a compact and unified display. This unifieddisplay attracts the attention of the viewer to the display grouping asa whole as well as to individual ones of the displayed pieces. Theunified character of the display has been found to be appreciablyincreased and enhanced by so designing the display rack that thedisplayed pieces are centered or arranged around an imaginary pointforwardly of the display grouping. 'The result is an eye-catching andunified display which is much more attractive than other knowndinnerware displays.

When the invention is utilized in stores or the like there are employeda number of the displays, the number being dependent on the number ofdifferent dinnerware patterns carried by the storekeeper and hisavailable shelf or counter space. The compact and unified character ofeach display permits the effective display of a comparatively largenumber of dinnerware pieces per unit of shelf or counter area, and as aresult the storekeeper is enabled to display a greater number of piecesand patterns than might otherwise be possible. 'In the alternative he isenabled to reduce the shelf or counter space devoted to dinnerwaredisplays, thereby freeing shelfor counter space for other types ofdisplays or reducing his total s'h'elf and/or counter area requirements.

The invention is preferably embodied as a one piece unit which, withoutany external supporting means (such as the "back wall of a cabinet orthe like), supports the dinnerware pieces in their designated positions'in the display grouping. The grouping is effected automatically bymerely inserting the various dinnerware pieces in the rack, and norepositioning or adjusting of the individual pieces relative to oneanother is required in orderto effect the desired grouping.

The preferred rack embodiment "is of such construction as to securelygrip and support the various dinnerware pieces, whatever their size orthe Character of their rim contours, i. e. plain, scalloped or'othercontour. As a result the rack may be interchangeably employed withdifferent types, styles and sizes of dinnerware, and there is no need toprovide a number of diiferen't racks in order to effectively display aplurality of different dinnerware lines. This rack interchangeabilitypermits the rack manufacturer to standardize his manufacturing operationon one rack and also permits the storekeeper to obtain the greatestutility from the racks he purchases.

ates Patet The preferred rack embodiment is of such design as to 'icethe more durable plastics although other materials and manufacturingprocesses could be employed.

When plastic is employed as the rack material it is desirable to provideeach of the racks with a centrally positioned foot or pin member. Thismember prevents sagging of the central area of the rack when in use andalso prevents telescoping, distortion and breakage of the racks duringtheir packaging and shipment.

The invention has for one of its objects the provision of a display rackfor dinnerware wherein the displayed dinnerware pieces are arranged inattractive and eye pleasing groupings.

Another object is to provide a display rack wherein the displayed piecesare arranged or grouped in a unitied and compact manner, whereby toincrease the number of display groupings per unit of shelf or counterarea and reduce the required shelf or counter area requirements. I

Another object is to provide a display rack which can be interchangeablyemployed to support dinnerware pieces of diifering size and rim contour,thereby enabling the rack manufacturer to standardize his operations onone rack and permitting the rack user to obtain the greatest utilityfrom the racks he purchases.

Another object is to provide a display rack of such design as to permitits being economically manufactured as a single unitary member and by asingle, easily performed molding operation.

Another object is to provide a display rack construction wherein aplurality of the display racks can be packaged for shipment togetherwithout breaking or distortmg.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following descriptionand appendedclaims, reference being bad to the accompanying drawingsforming a part of this specification wherein like reference charactersdesignate corresponding parts in the several views.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the invention,taken from a slightly elevated position, and showing certain dinnerwarepieces in position thereon.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a second embodiment with the dinnerware piecesremoved.

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view with a portionof the illustratedstructure cut away 'to show a section along line '3-3 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 in Fig. 2.

Fig. '5 is a sectional view taken on line "5-5 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on line G -6 in Fig. 4 and Fig. 7 is atop perspective view of a bracket which may be employed in the 'Fig. land Fig. 2 embodiments of the invention.

Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited in its application to thedetails of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also,it is to be understood that the'phraseology or terminology employedherein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Referring to Fig. 2 of the drawings there is shown a display rack 1formed as a single unitary member from a durable plastice. and by aconventional molding process well known in the art. Rack 1 includes agenerally flat horizontal base or plate portion 2 and an endlessperipheral flange portion 3 for supporting plate portion 2 in spacedposition above a counter or shelf subsurface i. If desired flangeportion .3 could be replaced by a series of leg members, although theuse of an endless flange portion is preferred because it serves tostrengthen and otherwise prevent twisting or distortion of the rack.

The area of plate portion 2 designated by reference numeral 5 isrecessed in order to provide a depression for receiving and retaining 'acup 6 and saucer 21 (shown in Fig. l). Recess 5 is preferably of largerarea than that defined by the engaged area of saucer 21 so as to adaptrack 1 for use with varying size saucers. Since the saucer is positionedhorizontally there is no force tending to displace it from its positionon the rack and there is therefore no need to immovably secure it inplace, as by making recess 5 closely conform to the engaged area of thesaucer. End areas of plate portion 2 are bulged upwardly to provideprotuberances or projections lll and 11. Projection 11 is intended toengage the bottom face of a bread and butter plate 9. Face 17 ofprojection 11 is slightly concave so that edges 19 and 20 thereof arespaced forwardly from the central area 41. As a result the bottom faceof plate 9 contacts edges 19 and 20 to the exclusion of theaforementioned central area 41. Edges l9 and 20 in effect provide aspaced two-point support which reduces the tendency of plate 9 to tiltor wobble about the vertical axis of projection 11.

The end area of plate portion 2 in front of projection 11 is providedwith a C-shaped or crescent-shaped slot 7 for receiving the rim of plate9.

As shown in Fig. 1, plate 9 is of traditional design. When plates ofsuch design are received in slot 7 their face portions engageslot-defining wall and their edge portions engage the forwardlydiverging walls 22 and 23. The diverging character of walls 22 and 23automatically directs the plate (whatever its size) into engagement withwall 15.

Slot 7 is of such contour that plates of coupe design may beaccommodated therein. Plates of this design are provided with upturnedrims so as to in effect form hollow or slightly dished pieces. In orderthat the rack may accommodate plates of coupe design, slot 7 is formedwith two forwardly extended wing areas or cut-away portions 24 and 25.When plate 9 is of coupe design its rim engages the walls 43 and 44which define wing areas 24 and 25. If slot 7 were not provided with wingareas 24 and 25 the couple plate would be pitched forward be,- yond adesired eye-pleasing angle, and possibly onto its face (due to theupturned character of the coupe plates rim).

Supporting surfaces 15, 43 and 44 may be considered as on the concaveside of slot 7 and supporting surfaces 22 and 23 may be considered as onthe convex side of slot 7. It will be noted from Fig. 2 that the edgeformed at the rear of slot 7 extends immediately adjacent to hollowprojections 11. The ends of this edge merge into forwardly divergingedges formed by walls 22 and 23. The forward ends of these divergingedges connect with the edges formed by walls 43 and 44. Between thefacing ends of walls 43 and 44 is a rearwardly projecting wall portionwhich defines the rearwardly convexed wall edge 15.

In the second embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in Fig.2, projection 10 on the opposite side of plate portion 2 is cut away at50a, and the slot in front of projection 10 is enlarged at 51a and 52a.These cut-away portions accommodate a fruit bowl (not shown). In thefirst embodiment as illustrated in Fig. 1, projection 10 is identicalwith projection 11 so as to accommodate a salad plate 8. It will beunderstood that rack 1 shown in Fig. 1 is identical with rack 1 shown inFig. 2 except that rack 1 is not provided with cut-away portions 501:,51a and 5211.

It is desirable that both the Fig. l rack and Fig. 2 rack be availableto persons desiring to purchase racks. One economical method forproviding these two different racks is to form the Fig. 1 rack in a moldand form the Fig. 2 rack by cutting or sawing through a '4 Fig. l rackalong the lines 53a, 54a and 55a. This method of formingthe Fig. 2 rackis advantageous in that it eliminates the cost of separate molds or moldinserts. It is further advantageous in that it permits either the rightor left dinnerware-supporting mechanisms to be cut away so as toaccommodate a fruit bowl in either of two positions. If desired,however, the sawing or cutting away operation can be omitted in favor ofseparate molds or mold inserts.

The intermediate or central area of plate portion 2 is bulged upwardlyto provide a protuberance or projection 26 (in both the Fig. l and Fig.2 constructions). This projection is intended to engage the bottom faceof dinnerware plate 27. Contact between projection 26 and plate 27 ismade at points above points 28 and 29 on the projection.

Extending forwardly from projection 26 are two raised portions 30 and31. These raised portions are provided with cut-outs at 32 and 33, andextending upwardly in front of these cut-outs are arms 34 and 35 havinghookforming ends 36 and 37. When plate 27 is in its illustrated positionthe edge of its rim rests on either oftthe edges 38 or 39 formed bycut-outs 32 and 33. Larger size plates rest onedges 39 and smaller sizeplates rest on edges 38. The exposed face of plate 27 contacts thehook-forming ends 36, 37 whereby said plate is firmly but removablyfixed in the seat defined by raised portions 30, 31 and upwardlyextending arms 34, 35. Whether plate 27 is small or large its rimportion will be spaced above the surface of plate portion 2 and therewill be no tendency for said plate to be displaced from its seatingengagement with edges 33, 39 and hooked ends 36, 37.

The design of the rack (whereby cut-outs are provided at 32, 33 andhook-forming elements are provided at 36, 37) is advantageous in that itpermits the rack to be formed in an easily effected molding operation,followed by an easily effected separation of the molded rack from themold. If openings 32, 33 were omitted the rack could not be easilydischarged from the mold due to the presence of hooks 36, 37 and ifhooks 36, 37 were omitted retention of plate 27 would not be as secureas with the illustrated construction.

The plate-supporting element or mechanism defined by projection 26 andraised portions 30, 31 may be considered as facing the imaginary point40 (see Fig. 2) in that plate 27, when in position on rack 1, faces saidimaginary point. Likewise the dinnerware-supporting elements ormechanisms defined by projections 10, 11 and slots 7, 7 may also beconsidered as facing said imaginary point in that pieces 8 and 9, whenin position on rack 1, face said point. This rack construction (wherebypieces 8, 27 and 9 are disposed circumferentially around imaginary point40) presents a unified and compact display which attracts the attentionof the viewer to the display grouping as a whole as well as toindividual ones of displayed dinnerware pieces.

There is preferably extended from the lower face of plate portion 2 apin or leg member 41. This leg member serves to reinforce and otherwisespace the central portion of plate 2 from sub-surface 4. In other wordsmember 41 prevents plate 2 from sagging.

Preferably a plurality of the racks are packaged in stacked ortelescoped relations, i. e. each of the racks has its projections 10, 11and 26 telescoped within the hollows defined by projections 10, 11 and26 on the immediately superjacent rack. Hooked ends 36 project throughslots 32 formed in said immediately superjacent rack. As a result eachof the racks other than the first rack adds only the width of flange 3to the thickness of the package, and it is possible to confine aplurality of the racks in a minimum size package. The racks would,except for the presence of pin 41, have a tendency to compress withinone another so as to distort wall portions of certain of the racks. Pin41 prevents this compressing or distorting action and thereby preventsbreakage and/or distortion of the racks during the packaging andshipment.

In use the rack may be positioned on a subsurface 4 (of a shelf orcounter for example) or it may be positioned on the bracket 5h shown inFig. 7. The purpose of bracket 50 is to support the rack on a verticalsurface (not shown). Bracket 50 includes two rods 51 and 52 spacedlypositioned by means of a rod 53 and plate 54. The forward ends of rods51, 52 are turned upwardly to provide rod portions 55, 56 for retainingbracket 50 in its designed position relative to thedinnerware-supporting rack. The rearward ends of rods 51, 52 are turnedupwardly, then rearwardly and finally upwardly again to provide threerod portions 57, 58 and 59. Bracket 50 is designed to be supported intwo horizontally spaced openings on a vertical wall, as for example, awall of the type known as a peg board. In this connection the term pegboard is applied to a board or wallforming element which is providedwith a series of horizontally and vertically spaced openings. Bracket 56is supported in any two adjacent horizontally aligned openings in thepeg board by inserting rod portions 59 in the openings, and lowering thebracket to a position wherein rod portions 57 lie against the outer faceof the board. Rod portions 59 will then engage the inner face of theboard, and rod portions 58 will lie within the peg board openings.

Plate 54 of the bracket is provided with an opening 61) and the rack (lor 1a) is provided with two openings 61 and 62. To secure the rack onthe brackets screws 63 are extended through openings 61, 6b and 62, 60,and a nut 63 is threaded onto the lower end of each screw. Preferablythe rack and brackets are assembled together prior to mounting of thebracket on the peg board, although the sequence of operations may bereversed if desired.

The illustrated rack is, as stated previously, formed as a single onepiece molded element. It will be understood, however, that certain ofthe teachings of the invention could be incorporated in a rackconstructed of a plurality of pieces and by other process than molding.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A dinnerware-supporting element comprising a base, a hollowprojection extending upwardly therefrom to provide adinnerware-supporting member, a plurality of arms extended upwardly fromsaid base in front of said projection, and a plurality of cut-outs insaid base between said projection and said arms, whereby when aplurality of the plate-supporting elements are positioned on one anotherone rack projection will telescope within another rack projection andthe arms on one rack will project through the cut-outs on another rack.

2. The combination of a display rack and mounting brackets thereforcomprising: a display rack having a base, a first dinnerware supportingmeans disposed centrally thereof, second and third dinnerware supportingmeans disposed on said base on either side of said first means andfacing inwardly toward an imaginary point located forward of the saidthree means and a saucer supporting means disposed on said base in frontof said first means; and two supporting brackets, each of said bracketscomprising a horizontally extending portion for engaging the undersideof the said rack, an upwardly extending portion for securing saidbracket on a vertical wall, and means for extension through the rackbase and horizontally extending portion of said brackets so as to securethe rack on the said brackets.

3. A dinnerware-supporting element comprising a horizontal base plate;walls extending downwardly from said plate to support it in spacedposition above a subsurface; the rear portion of said base plate beingbulged upwardly from the general plane of said plate to define a hollowdinnerware bottomengaging projection; the front portion of said platehaving a crescent shaped slot therein; said slot defining a first edgeextending immediately adjacent the hollow projection, second and thirdedges diverging forwardly from the ends of the first edge, fourth andfifth edges extending toward one another from the forward ends of thesecond and third edges in general parallelism with the first edge, and asixth rearwardly convexed edge interconnecting the facing ends of thefourth and fifth edges.

4. A display rack comprising: a substantially flat horizontal baseplate; a downwardly depending peripheral flange extending integrallyfrom the edge of said base plate to define a skirt portion forsupporting the said base plate on a sub-surface; a rear central portionof said base plate bulged upwardly to define a first hollowdinnerware-bottom engaging projection; rear sections of end portions ofsaid base plate bulged upwardly to define second and third hollowdinnerware bottom-engaging projections, the front external surfaces ofthe said first, second and third projections being circumferentiallydisposed around a central focal point located forward of the said rack;first,'second and third dinnerware edgeengaging means integral with saidbase plate and disposed respectively in front of said first, second andthird dinnerware bottom-engaging projections; said second and thirddinnerware edge-engaging means being formed by slots in the base plate;and a central integral horizontal dinnerware supporting means providedin said base plate in front of said first dinnerware edge-engagingmeans; said hollow projections permitting a series of the racks to bestacked compactly on one another with the projections of one rackextending into the projections on the next superjacent rack.

, 5. A display rack comprising: a substantially flat horizontal baseplate; a downwardly depending peripheral flange extending integrallyfrom the edge of said base plate to define a skirt portion forsupporting the said base plate on a sub-surface; a rear central portionof said base plate bulged upwardly to define a first hollowdinnerwarebottom engaging projection; rear sections of end portions ofsaid base plate bulged upwardly to define second and third hollowdinnerware-bottom engaging projections, the front external surfaces ofthe said first, second and third projections being circumferentiallydisposed around a central focal point located forward of the said rack;first, second and third dinnerware-edge engaging means integral withsaid base plate and disposed respectively in front of said first, secondand third dinnerware bottom-engaging projections; each of said secondand third dinnerware edge-engaging means being formed by a C-shaped slotin the base plate facing away from the respective projection whereby toaccommodate an edge on dinnerware; and a central integral horizontaldinnerware supporting means provided in said base plate in front of saidfirst dinnerware edge-engaging means; said hollow projections permittinga series of the racks to be stacked compactly on one another with theprojections of one rack extending into the projection on the nextsuperjacent rack.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS FaederAug. 24, 1948

